Winter stares at the woman, just stares for what seems like forever. He clears his throat, he could do this. This was easy. "Welcome." Nope this was awkward as ****. "Right I'm gonna go now, glad to see you are still alive. Bye."br>
Turns to leave almost runs right into a wall, turns and smiles pretty at Rhiannon. "Wall right here be careful. It's very dangerous." Hurries to leave, wasn't awkward at all.

Soleil squints, skeptical of how Rhiannon is now in possession of a hotel keycard. She remains still, breath hitched, when the other woman saunters over, and takes a strand of now dark hair between her fingers. It shouldn’t have taken her this long to realize just who’s standing in front of her - afterall, she’d know the angel anywhere, at any moment.

“Baby?” It comes as a broken whisper. Hands reach out to take Rhiannon’s face between her palms. “It’s you.”

There are tears, now. Soleil leans in to press a firm kiss to her wife’s lips, and is elated to find that the woman with the caramel colored eyes tastes like her angel once more.

Soleil is too busy tapping out a text to notice the sound of the door swinging open. A lot had happened in the few weeks prior - Daniel’s disappearance, Tucker’s passing, Reid Funeral Home’s disbanding. Everything had gone awry, and for Soleil, it was near impossible to suppress the urge to run. Yet, with the help of her sons, the young Whitaker remained in LA, hopeful, patient, waiting.

Suddenly, there’s a new presence in the room, and Soleil’s heart begins to beat wildly against her sternum. She can’t help but noticed that this Rhiannon feels familiar to her. Shock, awe, utter disbelief has her speechless as Rhiannon appears in the doorway. “What- what are you doing here?” she stutters, a hand lifting to clasp over her mouth, “How did you get in?”

Kind of?
-laughs-
Sure, babe.
-pulls her into a long kiss-
I love you now. I’ll love you tomorrow. I’ll love you next year, and in ten.
-peppers her with more kisses-
I’ll love you for all my life, and through all of yours.

The dreary, early spring rain seems appropriate; like Rhiannon, the world is in mourning. Different tones of gray were the only thing to be seen when Soleil stepped onto the pavement, earlier this morning. With a heavy tread, and an equally heavy heart, she’d left Rhiannon, Red Sox hoodie wrapped tightly around her shoulders, to acquire the angel’s most favorite breakfast pastries.

Whether or not her wife realizes, Soleil’s heart is no stranger to grief, having lost three siblings of her own. She’d been conscious to witness paramedics pull Jacy’s mangled body from the car wreck; to know that life had been so forcibly ripped from his lungs made her wish, more than anything, to have switched places.

There are no words spoken as Soleil pulls the angel tightly to her chest. Her steady, stable heartbeat reminding both women of the love they share. After the wreck, Soleil had found herself alone. Completely alone. And so, to the best of her abilities, she pours all the love she had then craved into caring for Rhiannon. Lips pressed to the angel’s hair, arms locked around her shoulders, trying, as if by osmosis, to reassure her that in time, the heart heals.

Soleil had never been known to be an overly emotional creature; years of curtailing any outward expression left her... well, stunted, in a way. Her adoration for Rhiannon often comes out in unorthodox ways - although, over time, the gestures of love had become more intimate, more personal. And because grief and frustration are emotions she still struggles to openly express, the news of Margot's passing is hard to process. But, she knows that her feelings on the matter are trivial in comparison to her wife's.

Rhiannon
I just heard. I'm so sorry.
Do you want me to pick you up at the office?
We can go somewhere, and talk. Or just go home and lay in bed.
Just tell me what I need to do, babe.

-shrugs-
Figured it'd be a nice surprise.
-tugs her close-
No ditching the kids. At least not at a firehouse.
-gentle kiss-
I was thinking, though...
-shrugs again-
We could take a vacation? Somewhere new. Different. Away from the boys.

-practically kicks open front door-
-drags Wilson into kitchen-Rhiannon!
-juggles fussy toddler and swaddled baby-
Could you please help me, and wash Wilson's hands? He picked up dog sh*t...
-coughs-
A dog turd just down the street.

“My pancakes are perfect!” she squeals, kicking her legs, “You’re just mad because Wilson asked me to make breakfast this morning.”

Laughter and hushed pleas of truce carry throughout the brownstone. How the boys remain asleep is nothing short of a miracle; but, both Rhiannon and Soleil are grateful. It’s not until the clock reads long past midnight that the Whitaker women drift off to sleep.

Soleil decides she’s being a touch too insensitive for the present moment, and mutters an apology before pressing another kiss to Rhiannon’s head. “He made you happy,” she whispers, “Perhaps he still does, in one way or another. I didn’t need an explanation, but I’m glad you brought him up.”

The abrupt shift in conversation takes Soleil by surprise. Usually, she’s the one with the fleeting attention span, and ridiculous mood swings. But, the inquiry - or request, perhaps - makes her grin wickedly, regardless. “Do I want to get naked?” she scoffs. Rhiannon already knows the answer.

She’s tempted to interrupt. She doesn’t need an explanation, doesn’t particularly want Rhiannon to indulge in the details of her past relationship. But, Soleil listens instead, nodding every so often in acknowledgement of what’s being said. And when the angel finishes, they sit, arms wrapped tightly around one another, hearts beating in unison.

“I could never deny your past with Callum. What you had for him, what you still share is sacred to the both of you,” she replies, lifting her free hand to Rhiannon’s cheek, “I understand, I accept that. You are the light of my life, Rhiannon. I trust you.”

Truth is, Soleil has never been more in love. She only wishes she could articulate just how and what she’s feeling. Instead, she pulls Rhiannon into a slow kiss.

Soleil’s hand drifts to the small of her wife's back, pausing only to trace circles against her bare skin. The sensation of Rhiannon’s lips against her neck elicits a happy hum, and a mumbled “Love you, too” in response. For the first time in what feels like forever, the Whitaker women have a moment to themselves. No boys, no houseguests, no needy (yet, endearingly so) sister-in-law.

Seeing Callum earlier in the day had thrown Soleil for a loop. She’s never been particularly fond of him, but as an acknowledgement of his past with Rhiannon, she'd made a conscious effort to be a little less vocal about it. She’d seen how his sudden disappearance had affected the Faye sisters - a testament to how deep that bond truly ran. And to make her wife feel guilty about her former marriage would be hypocritical, in a number of ways. She pulls Rhiannon close, lips pressing a firm kiss to her dark hair.

Before even turning around, Callum knows. He'd recognize her voice anywhere. Over the course of 12 years together, he'd familiarized himself with Rhiannon's every tone, voice inflection, and speech pattern. There had even been a time when he could sense her bodily presence.

"I've been... away. I know I have a lot to explain," he says, softly, "I'm sorry. Really." He can't help but smile; it was good to be home, despite his reasons for leaving in the first place.

-brow furrows-
What’s Vee got to do with anything?
-sits up-
Beer and Cheerios isn’t a good flavor combination. Period.
-crosses arms over chest-
I probably wouldn’t eat it if those were the last two things in our kitchen.

-hums happily-
No kitten. For now.
-has huge heart eyes-
I just wanted to tell you that I love you.
-total mushball-
Oh, I finally got my paycheck for the New Year's gig. And I wanna go on vacation with you and the boys.
-shrugs-
Somewhere warm. Like, LA.

-wraps arms around her tightly-
I love you.
-flips over, straddles her hips-
More than you could ever know.
-leans down to pepper her with kisses-
For the record, I was awake for the majority of that movie.

-shrugs again-
Maybe. But, he’s married.
-leans in for another kiss-
And so am I...
-wraps arms around her tightly-
To the most amazing, funny, attractive, ridiculous, patient...
-continues listing flattering adjectives-
...woman on this planet.

“Never apologize for Q!” she gasps. The small King Charles has become her companion, eagerly trotting alongside her as she mills around the house. Soleil can’t deny the dog a little extra lovin’, despite feeling some regret over the recent neglect of Fish and Luna. She just can’t get over Q’s chocolate colored eyes, and adorable button nose.

Leaning into Rhiannon’s embrace, Soleil lets out a content sigh. The warmth and security she feels here is unparalleled. “I don’t look like I’d rather die,” she protests, lips pressing a gentle kiss to the angel’s neck thereafter, “I just didn’t want to upset you.”

Soleil loves her wife more than anyone or anything else in the world. She is, despite her past transgressions, devoted to Rhiannon in unimaginable ways. And at the end of the day, if the angel really wanted to adopt another child, she’d be met with little protest.

She has no idea how to voice her qualms; she can’t bear to hurt her wife, not after all they’ve been through. But, she had promised to be better about voicing her concerns and expressing her emotions. And the push for more pets and babies has Soleil reeling.

“I don’t know if I can do another kid right now.”

The younger Whitaker shuffles her feet, nervous about her wife’s reaction. Her gaze drops to her feet as she mutters an apology. Eventually, she’d want a daughter - a baby girl to complete the family. But, it just doesn’t feel right. Not yet.

Soleil pushes open the office door, loitering in the door frame for a moment. She knows that Rhiannon has been baby-crazed as of late. The holidays provided an opportunity for the angel to splurge on and spoil their young sons, and Soleil had been all for it. But, perhaps selfishly, she’s had enough of the chaos. Three dogs, three cats, two toddlers. The brownstone has always been their fortress of adoration and security, and of course, the more household members, the better. Realistically, however, the commotion is... a lot.

“He was metro, then,” she responds, huffing, “But, either way, he was hitting on my wife.” Soleil is a territorial creature by nature - possessive, protective. Especially when it comes to her wife. She’s jealous, yes. But, not insecure.

Just as she gives an eager nod of consent, the doorbell rings. Perfect f*cking timing. “He’ll leave it on the doorstep,” she mutters, pulling Rhiannon close for another slow kiss, “I paid with a card. Included the tip and everything.” Don’t be a tease. Her brow furrows in silent warning, arms tightening around Rhiannon’s waist. She knows that her wife has her tendencies.

“He was not gay,” Soleil grumbles, frowning at the memory, “He was so unapologetically hitting on you.” She’s constantly appalled by the audacity of the club-going male population, but this particular f*cker was unnecessarily persistent. Rhiannon had even physically deterred his advances; it had taken Soleil every ounce of self-control not to put the sh*thead on his ass.

“I honestly can’t get over the f*cking balls on that man.”

She pauses, taking a breath to recenter. After clearing her throat, she makes a comment about the tequila. The alcohol had been top-shelf. And free for Soleil and her plus one - perks of being the main act at a bougie club. “I’m glad you had fun, babe,” she muses, letting out a pleased hum thereafter, “It was really nice having you there.”

Soleil smiles against Rhiannon’s hair; the satisfaction and adoration in her heart almost bring tears to her eyes. But, of course, the tenderness of the moment is ruined by her inability to have any chill. “And the after, after party was pretty cool, too."

“Didn’t you just come from the kitchen?” Soleil teases, eyes squinting at the angel in her lap. Her arms reach around Rhiannon to tug her blanket back, displeased with the abrupt rush of cold air on her vulnerable legs. The couple sits for a moment, the silence only broken by the sound of a happy sigh.

“Let’s order Chinese for lunch. It’s tradition to ring in the new year with dumplings.”

The young Whitaker nudges her wife playfully, thankful for the woman’s warmth and proximity. She’s reaching for her phone before granted a response, and with a couple swift clicks, dumplings, egg rolls and soy sauce are successfully ordered. Her arms wind their way around Rhiannon’s waist, effectively pulling her impossibly close.

“You seemed to enjoy yourself on New Year’s.” A small smirk tugs at the corners of mouth, knowing full well that Rhiannon had, in fact, liquored up and danced the night away.

Rhiannon’s proximity is enough to make Soleil heave a content sigh. This is exactly what she needs at the end of a holiday weekend - the wife and some wine, the perfect combination. She takes a long sip, free arm wrapping its way around Rhiannon’s slim frame if only to hold her more firmly against her side. Absolute bliss.

“After the new year rolls around, I am so into that.”

Of course, the Whitakers can’t unwind completely. Not yet, at least. Soleil has a huge gig at Output on New Years Eve - the biggest show she’s been booked for, ever. Colin had done the young woman a solid in talking to the nightclub’s management. It’s rare for a small-time DJ, like Soleil, to score a venue at which Diplo and Eric Prdyz had previously performed.

“You’re still coming to the gig, right?” she asks with a huge yawn of her own.

The brownstone smells of pine, peppermint, and gingerbread. Four of the five Christmas trees have been left out on the curb - the tallest remains, still fully decorated, in the living room. It’s the Wednesday after Christmas, and Soleil is still reeling from the energy and excitement that had filled the house days prior.

A Kiddimoto Marc Márquez Superbike, and a custom made LS2 helmet. A pair of Bauer ice skates. A BB-8 Mega playset with a Jedi costume to match. The Whitakers had spared no expense for their son’s first Christmas, but the expression of utter delight on Wilson’s face made the cost worth it. But, as the holiday season draws to a close, it’s impossible for Soleil not to admit that she’s absolutely beat.

Christmas 1 - Soleil 0

“Baby!” she calls, “Do we still have that bottle of Duckhorn Colin sent us?”

The bedroom door shuts, and all Soleil can do is blink away hot tears. Rhiannon’s anger is excusable; the younger woman isn’t stupid. But, it hurts. Afterall, her heart still aches at the thought of how she’d betrayed the woman she loves most in this world. It’d been months at this point, but there is no denying how greatly it damaged her moral compass. Now, Logan and his hauntingly blue eyes would act as a constant reminder of her sins.

After what feels like an eternity of standing alone in the hallway, she’s propelled down the stairs and out the front door. Her fingers tap out a short text to Mark, as she swings a leg over the side of the motorcycle. Quickly, she tugs the helmet on, snapping the glass visor down over her eyes and nose. Running is undoubtedly the immature thing to do, but there’s no way she’s going to tread timidly around her own home. Not for being coerced into doing something she knew would result in this kind of tension.

Soleil is tempted to lie. It’d be easy to say that she’d just been given a pick-up location. She’s tempted to say that she hadn’t seen Elouise, that someone else had handed the child off to her. But, the angel knows her wife, and lying would only stoke the fire. There’s a momentary silence that settles around the couple, disrupted only by the sound of Logan’s gurgling, as Soleil considers her next words.

“I didn’t know what to expect in meeting her, Rhiannon,” she replies, quietly. It’s the truth, and Soleil hopes the angel can identify the remorse in her voice. “I told her we didn’t want Logan. I told her that I didn’t want him. I made it clear that I was done doing her favors. But, she… she just f*cking walked away.”

Soleil knows her wife is upset, and of course, she can’t blame her. Elouise had been the biggest thorn in the couple’s side; there’s no denying that she’d been the root of all their marital troubles, so after the affair, Soleil had been excruciatingly meticulous in ridding her life of all things ‘Orlav.’ But, the word ‘lover’ still stings. So much so that Soleil takes an involuntary step backwards.

The infant is up and out of her arms before she can manage an entire sentence. He giggles, and Soleil revels in the way Rhiannon’s face lights up. She knows, however, that this excitement will be painfully short-lived. A hand reaches up to rub the back of her neck, heart clenching in her chest as her wife finally takes a moment to pause.

“That’s the thing.”

Soleil doesn’t exactly know how Rhiannon’s going to react, but she can certainly imagine. Having an Orlav in the house is going to be troublesome for them, both. For their marriage. And it’s exactly this kind of nightmare that the younger Whitaker wanted to avoid.
“Logan is” - a pause to clear her throat - “He’s El’s kid.”

She makes a conscious effort to maintain eye contact, even though she can feel Rhiannon tense at the mention of El’s name. “Hear me out, baby. Please,” she begs before her wife has a moment to respond.

It had been life or death for Logan Orlav. Despite her reluctance, despite how she felt for Elouise, Soleil had been backed into a corner. Soft at heart, she couldn’t - no, she wouldn’t - possibly leave the child to die, either by his own mother’s hand, or otherwise. He was human, afterall. Innocent and pure, despite his parents’ transgressions. Soleil could understand this. But, for Rhiannon? Being an Orlav was enough of a crime.

Soleil stands out on the pavement, carseat and infant in one hand, helmet in the other. She stares up at her home, wondering just how she’d managed to transport Logan safely on the motorcycle. It’s nothing short of a miracle, really. She glances down, catching another glimpse of those familiar, clear blue eyes. Then, her feet carry her up the steps, and into the front hall.

Her heart is racing as she ventures further into the brownstone. If her wife possessed lycan abilities, she’d already be aware of the tiny, new heartbeat. Steady, stable, alive. Logan squeaks as she scoops him into her arms.

“Oh, ****,” she whispers, making her way up to Rhiannon’s study, “What have I done?” She’s already anticipating the barrage of questions and queries. Quite frankly, she knows it’s game over once Rhiannon realizes the child is an Orlav.

-wraps arms around her waist-
You and I.
-small smile-
I'm lost without you, you know? I don't know what to do with myself. Having Wilson helps, he keeps me preoccupied. But, at the end of the day, I don't want an empty bed. I want you.
-gentle kiss-
I'm sorry I'm difficult.

I didn't say that. I could never say that.
-steps closer-
I need you, Rhiannon. Without you, I... I'd probably be dead.
-cups her cheek gently-
You don't need to quit your job. I think I just need to figure some things out.
-leans in slowly-
I love you, you know. Always.

I punish you?
-shakes head-
I have acknowledged, on multiple occasions, that you are supporting this family. I can't do what you do.
-pauses-
But, it was supposed to be us. Together.
-closes eyes-
I love you, Rhiannon. So much that it hurts to breathe. But, I... we didn't think this through.
-takes a deep breath-
It's my fault that you have to work so much. I should've known. And I feel like sh*t because I'm angry that you're always working. It kills me whenever Wilson asks why you're not home. And then I realize I'm just throwing myself another f*cking pity party.
-wipes eyes-
It just doesn't feel like us anymore, and I hate it.

-stares back-
It's not my fault you automatically assume that something's wrong. Am I that problematic?
-scoffs-
Have you ever stopped to think that maybe the issue isn't with me?
-tilts head-
Let me ask you this. What's the biz with you lately, hm? What's been going on with you? Trouble with the co-workers? D*ck of a boss, maybe? Particular nuisance of a client?
-steps forward-
I haven't had a full conversation with my own wife in the last, f*ck if I know how long. This isn't just about me, it's about you too. That's the way a marriage works, Rhiannon. Why am I always the only one who has to open up?

-fleeting smile-
Go check on Wilson, babe. He asked me about why you haven't been home lately. Again. He's been missing you.
-squints slightly-
Plus, he got a little frosting happy today. I know it's going to take a chisel to clean it up if I don't get to it soon.
-forced laugh-

I'm happy. I'm content.
-gentle kiss-
Promise.
-still a little distracted, only God knows why-
Wilson's in the living room. Go make sure he hasn't started a small fire?
-glances around-
I'll be in as soon as I wipe down the counters. Alright?

-stops, sighs-
You quit, and then what?
-arches a brow-
What, we just... coast?
-takes a deep breath-
I'm not f*cking qualified to work, to support a family. We don't have any other options, and I know it's hard for you to be away so much. It's hard for the both of us, but...
-sighs again-
You're doing the best you can. I'm just being selfish.

I'm not asking you to quit, Rhiannon. Don't be so rash.
-squeezes her hand-
You don't have to apologize. You didn't do anything wrong.
-lets go of her hand to resume cleaning up-
I can be independent, you know. I know I'm childish sometimes, but I can do things on my own. I don't need you to tend to every decision or move I make.

Normally? What's that supposed to mean?
-steps away-
I'm not upset with you. I'm fine on my own.
-might be a stubborn d*ck-
I just didn't want to burden you with planning a vacation. You've been... busy supporting us. And it's the holiday season, so I just figured you'd be swamped.
-nonchalant shrug-

-snorts-
What can I say? I like to get stuffed.
-rolls eyes at joke-
I’m sorry, that was unnecessary.
-snuggles close-
Do you think we could put up the Christmas tree tomorrow?
-kisses her hair-
We could go to mass, and then go pick one out?

-wide eyes-
I’m in heaven.
-huge smirk-
You can have cake while I have pie.
-sets knife down, tugs her close-
This’ll be my first Thanksgiving with a family.
-casual line drop, shrugs-
Let’s celebrate big.

A beer? Day drinking?
-dramatic gasp-Scandalous, Mrs. Whitaker.
-happily scarfs down grilled cheese-
You know, chicken nuggets dipped in Sriracha mayo should be put on a bar menu. Sh*t's actually pretty good.
-takes a sip of beer-
-serious heart eyes-
Do you know how much I love you?

-presses kiss to her forehead-
We found each other, hungry.
-small smile-
And we bit each other, as fire bites, leaving wounds in us.
-another gentle kiss-
But wait for me, keep for me your sweetness. I will give you too, a rose.

-huffs-
-pulls Wilson into arms-
Bedtime for my dude? I saw that yawn.
-coaxes him out of fort, into bed-
Where the Wild Things Are, or Love You Forever?
-Wilson picks Where the Wild Things Are-
Babe, come read with us.

Rhiannon’s 'closet commentary' warrants a playful shove from the younger woman. Her breath hitches in the back of her throat as her lower back connects with the marble counter. She’s mesmerized by Rhiannon’s moving lips, eyes unapologetically fixated on them. The only thought present in the confines of her skull is of how those lips are going to feel against her pallid skin.

She nods eagerly, and she knows it’s sufficient enough of a response for Rhiannon to take control. “I love you,” she states firmly, taking the angel’s face in her hands. Hazel eyes stare for what feels like an eternity.

“I’m so in love with you.” She reaffirms the statement with a fervid kiss, teeth and tongue soon battling for control. Soleil Whitaker is not capable of expressing the amount of love she holds in her heart. Instead, she pours all of her emotions into the way she makes love to her wife, constantly hoping and praying that it’ll be just enough for Rhiannon to know.

She knows Rhiannon is speaking; her lips are moving, after all. But, Soleil is too distracted by the sight of her wife to be fully attentive. There’s something about how her hair is thrown messily into a bun, glasses now perched on the top of her head. It’s the effortless beauty that drives Soleil wild.

“I’m gay.”

The confession is intended as a response to Rhiannon’s question. But, just with the way Soleil had blurted it out, it becomes the epitome of her current mindset. She is gay, and her wife is an absolute goddess.

Her hands slip under the hem of the Red Sox hoodie, and she hums in response to the warmth she finds against Rhiannon’s skin. She leans in close, leaving just enough room for the hushed words shared between she and her wife. “I missed you today,” she whispers, fingers dancing up the length of her spine. Her eyes slide shut, and she revels in how Rhiannon’s heart skips a beat. She has half a mind to pull the sweatshirt off. Instead, her move around to her chest only to cop an unabashed feel.

She whines when Rhiannon holds her at arm’s length. “We’re friends,” she responds, a hint of impatience apparent in her tone. Conversation is the very last thing Soleil is capable of focusing on in this moment. Rhiannon’s mile-long legs are demanding her attention, and it takes every ounce of willpower not to lay her wife out on the kitchen counter just to have her way. “He has no intentions. I, on the other hand, have intentions with you.”

In her drunk mind, she’s being smooth. She might as well have been named Casanova.

Soleil mumbles to herself, searching, bleary-eyed, for a bottle of water. She wonders why and how she’d arrived at this level of intoxication so quickly - she’d felt near sober when leaving the bar. Focus, Soleil.

“You had like, 3 drinks,” she muses aloud.

On an empty stomach. She’d agreed to meet up with Mark after dinner, and it hadn’t quite occurred to her that ‘dinner’ now constituted as Wilson’s leftovers (read: 2 chicken nuggets, and a juicebox). Good. Her grumbling is interrupted by the sound of Rhiannon’s voice. Like a Golden Retriever puppy, she is beyond excited to see her wife. A bright smile splits her features, arms immediately slipping around the other woman’s slim waist.

“Love of my life. The mother of my son. My moon, and my” - she pauses for another kiss - “you taste like wine.”

She leans back, squinting. Willing her vision to come into focus. “Drinking without me?”

It’s a stupid, rhetorical question. But, a knowing grin tugs at the corner of her mouth. “Did you finish the bottle, yet?"

Soleil could sense the urgency - impatience, rather - in her wife’s text messages. ‘I want to talk’ had become code for sex; she figured that out rather quickly. Rhiannon’s latest text is a blatant indication of just how desperate the couple had become for moments of intimacy.

Pulling up to the brownstone, Soleil lets out a relieved sigh. It probably hadn’t been the smartest of ideas for the young Whitaker to drive home, but she hadn’t exactly anticipated having 3 drinks. She dismounts the motorcycle, taking a rather unsteady step onto the curb thereafter. Somehow, she manages to tug off her helmet while stumbling up the front steps.

“Rhiannon!” she calls, pushing into to the front hall, “Sh*t, sorry.” The apology isn’t directed at anyone in particular, but she quickly realizes that in order to keep her son from waking up, she needs to be quiet. Tiptoeing into the kitchen, she attempts to juggle her phone and her helmet with the same hand. This proves to be an impossible task, so she sets the helmet down, takes a deep breath, and taps out a quick message to her wife.

-nods-
That's why I picked it up today.
-eskimo kisses-
I appreciate your hard work, Rhiannon.
-pauses-
I know... you have to do twice as much just to support this life with me.
-sighs-
I know it's a lot to ask of you.

Baby.
-whines-
My dreams always consist of one of three things.
-lists off with fingers-
You, having sex with you, or food.
-moves to straddle her hips-
Never all at the same time because I’m pretty sure I’d explode in my sleep..
-leans down for a quick kiss-
Nothing’s better than dreaming of you, though.

Soleil’s hands move to Rhiannon’s hips; she squeezes affectionately, fingers pressing themselves into soft flesh. The weight of her wife in her lap is almost enough to drive her wild, but it’s the sensation of Rhiannon’s teeth against her skin that rips a moan from the back of her throat.

“Rhiannon, I...”

Her head lulls back against the couch before she can finish the thought. Rhiannon is well aware of how easily aroused her wife is; so much as one look with bedroom eyes is enough to send Soleil’s heart rate through the roof.

Soleil wracks her brain, trying to figure out what exactly she and her wife have to discuss. It’s been a while since they’ve argued, even longer since they’d addressed the affair. But, insecurity plagues her mind as she paces the living room floor. At the sound of the front door opening, she downs the remainder of her beer, and then throws herself onto the couch in attempt to appear nonchalant.

Be cool.

She hears nothing but the greeting, utterly distracted by the way the trench coat hugs the angel’s curves. Her mouth falls open as Rhiannon steps closer.

“It’s...” - she swallows hard, eyes still transfixed on her wife’s figure - “It’s all good.”

Always so smooth, Soleil Whitaker.

Her hands reach out before her own brain can register the movement, fingers finding the trim of the coat. She tugs Rhiannon closer, shifting herself toward the edge of the couch. With her wife standing in between her legs, Soleil leans in to press a gentle kiss to Rhiannon’s toned abdomen. Murmuring, she reaches around to cop an unabashed feel.

Rhiannon
See, the thing is... I'm selfish. So, I want alone time with you.
That being said, Margot and Callum will be babysitting at some point.
We should do like, every Thursday. We can make it date night.
And yes. WTF kind of question is that.

Rhiannon
Take next weekend off. Let's take Wilson to Boston.
... I mean, that'd free up some time for the two of us.
But, I don't know if I want my son around that d*ckhead you call your ex-husband.
I want Wilson to know what having a spine is like.

Rhiannon
Fine, don't. I'll do it myself.
Yeah, he got marker happy. I was able to clean it up, thank god for washables.
I took a picture of his masterpiece, though. We have a tiny Picasso.
[IMG Attached]

-tilts head-
Either one, I suppose.
-yelps-
I did see the snapchats, thanks. I was living vicariously through them...
-squints again-
Since I wasn't invited to today's mother-son date.
-tsks-
Can we all go bug hunting tomorrow?

Okay, but I love the sounds you make. Just... take it from here to here.
-makes 'lowering volume' gesture-
Can you do that?
-leans in, plants firm kiss to her neck-
I just want to love on you a bit. Okay?

“Rhiannon,” Soleil growls. To say she’s not easily frustrated by this woman would be a blatant lie. She’s an absolute sucker for her wife, despite the games Rhiannon likes to play. Already on the verge of taking matters into her own hands, Soleil grits her teeth, fingers finding their way into waves of dark hair.

“You know what kind of kisses.” Her head lulls back against the couch, eyes sliding shut as Rhiannon’s lips continue to explore her pale skin. Soleil is sometimes convinced that the angel will someday be the death of her. But, who is she, really, to complain?

“Please.” It comes out as a whisper, but in that single word, the desperation is palpable.

Soleil squirms under Rhiannon’s drifting hands, a short breath escaping from between her lips. She’s very aware of the woman’s intentions; after all, Rhiannon has never been known to be… subtle in regards to their sex life.

Her back arches in response to coaxing hands, torso pressing more firmly against the other woman. It is safe to say that Soleil Whitaker is having trouble catching her breath. “Rhiannon,” she mumbles. She makes an attempt to protest against her wife’s unabashed f*ckboy mentality, but finds herself leaning closer for a kiss.

“I was just about to ask,” she responds, hands reaching to grasp at her wife’s wrists. She squints at her in silent warning; Soleil Whitaker absolutely cannot be held accountable for any harm done while being tickled. Rhiannon knows this.

“You’re gonna let me drive?” She’s almost shocked. The Mustang is Rhiannon’s prized possession - Soleil feels blessed to even sit in the car, let alone drive it. She finds herself nodding, excited by the prospect of being behind the wheel.

“Can I kiss you at all the red lights?” she inquires, a sheepish grin tugging at her lips. She knows she doesn’t have to ask permission, but she can’t seem to help herself.

The electricity between Rhiannon and Soleil had been undeniable from the beginning, but there is an unparalleled sensation in this particular moment. The air is knocked from the younger Whitaker’s lungs, and she’s left utterly breathless when Rhiannon pulls away from their kiss.

“Hey,” she breathes. She presses her lips to the angel’s hair, convinced that, in these moments, she’s catching glimpses of Heaven. Nothing feels better than Rhiannon’s body pressed against her own, arms wrapped around each other, fingers idly brushing against skin. The desire for constant physical contact is, perhaps, a little excessive. But, for Soleil, it’s what keeps her grounded.

“Every day I have the honor of calling you my wife is a good day, babe. You know that."

What? No.
-sidles up next to-
Stop it. Of course you didn't fail.
-takes long swig of Blue Moon-
This is still one of my favorites. I've just acquired a taste for good wine, that's all.
-leans over to kiss her cheek-
I like what you like.

-slips arms around her waist-
-rests forehead on her shoulder-
I could never not love you, babe.
-looks up again-
I was made to love you, just as you were made to love me.
-presses foreheads together-
I don't want to be without you, Rhiannon.

I just don't understand how you can want me to stay.
-takes a couple shaky deep breaths-
-opens eyes slowly-
I'd only leave if you asked, Rhiannon. And even then, I'd wait, just in case you ever wanted me back.
-so earnest-

-presses heels of hands to temples-
I love you. I love you so much, but I betrayed you. I made a mistake, and I can't take it back.
-shakes head-
I feel like I'm drowning. I can't breathe, I don't eat.
-quiet moan-
I want to die, all the time. I can't stand how I've hurt you. Because you trusted me. And I f*cked it up.
-might be having a panic attack-
I f*cked it up.

You and I.
-grows silent-
-steps away-
Rhiannon, I...
-shaky breath-
I don't, uhm. I know we're trying to get back to normal, but I...
-shuts eyes-
I'm sorry. This is a lot. And I don't know how you can pretend that I still deserve you.

I'll wear the jeans you like, then.
-tries to hide a smirk-
Maybe we can take a stroll in the upper part of Central Park, too. We've never been up there.
-presses a kiss to her forehead-
It's a nice night.

-waves idly with free hand-
My fault. Totally my fault.
-continues down stairs-
Why don't you figure out what we're going to watch?
-faltering smile-
I'll be sure to ask them to include a whole gallon.

-gestures to file-
I figured you've been working on something. I haven't seen you all day.
-leans in for a kiss-
I missed you today. I saw a dog that looked like Lady Shortcake, and I wanted to steal her for you.

“I know,” she responds, “You need time. There’s no rush.” Soleil allows for the angel to coax her toward the bed, guiding her along with tender kisses and whispered assertions of love and comfort. Validation that she does not deserve, by any means. And it almost behooves her to put a stop to it.

Almost.

Rhiannon’s touch feels too much like normalcy for Soleil, too much like the last 48 hours had been nothing but a nightmare. In that moment, it is clear that both women need a break from their pain and anxieties. Soleil doesn’t quite know how or why she is still residing within the confines of the brownstone.
But, for now, Rhiannon is dictating what is and isn’t to happen in their marriage. And if it’s in sex and intimacy that she finds her escape, Soleil is more than willing to oblige.

-shaky breath-
You're not a hypocrite. The situations, they're... they're different.
-soft kiss-
I don't want to lose you, Rhiannon. I can't lose you.
-small grin-
I trust you. I promise I'll make it up to you.

She doesn't dare press her lips to Rhiannon's; that kind of intimacy had been become forbidden the second she'd fallen into bed with Elouise. Instead, she dips her hand between the angel's thighs, fingertips trailing down the length of her abdomen. Eyes open, staring up at the only person who possesses the power to crush her will to live. The languidness and the timidity in the way Soleil's fingers work express the unfathomable sorrow she feels building in her chest.

But, there is a constant urge to just stop and leave.

Soleil can feel just how heartbroken the angel is. She doesn't cling to Soleil's slight frame the way she used to, her hands to wander, lips don't pepper her skin with affectionate kisses. Even her labored breath sounds different.

And when they're done, Soleil can only watch as Rhiannon crawls away. The physical separation is agonizing.

And everything feels empty. The room. Her chest cavity. The sex. Rhiannon's eyes as she peers back at the younger woman.

Soleil fidgets when Rhiannon disappears into the bathroom, fingers fiddling with her wedding band. The sound of a running faucet causes the young woman to figure that Rhiannon has made her decision, that she is quite literally washing her hands of their marriage. Her eyes slide shut, a broken sigh forced from between her lips. She deserves this.

She almost jumps when Rhiannon’s fingers still her own. The contact is unexpected, and she stares - just as Rhiannon does - at their entangled hands. It isn’t until the angel speaks that Soleil realizes she’s been asked to stay. She looks up, and her breath hitches as Rhiannon’s lips press to the corner of her mouth. The smell of toothpaste is better than that of vanilla dipped donuts - anything to overwhelm and erase the reminder of her infidelity that had stained the inside of her nostrils.

Involuntarily, she lets out a sigh of relief. Her chest is still tight with humiliation and guilt, but hearing those words makes her heart leap. As unnatural as it may seem, Soleil has a feeling that their relationship may be stronger in hindsight.

She had thought of everything she had to lose. She’d spent close to 12 consecutive hours thinking of all the consequences of her actions, only when it became too unbearable to think about did she resort to alcohol as a distraction. She’d spent the majority of the flight from Moscow wringing her hands in agony and distress. But, Rhiannon would never come to know that.

As tempted as she is to respond with anger, Soleil knows that she’s at fault. She can’t compare her sins to Rhiannon’s; the circumstances had been much different. Instead, she listens. She takes the verbal barrage, head hung in palpable shame. Her silence is not an indication of surrender because she is, at the end of the day, prepared to fight tooth and nail for this woman. But, control lies in solely Rhiannon's hands, and it is Soleil's conscious choice to let her decide.

But, when the angel vomits, Soleil moves swiftly to help her wife. She’s prepared for the angel to push her away, to deny her the comfort of physical contact, to refuse her aid. But, she can’t stop herself. She’s wired that way.

Because Soleil loves her. Ferociously so.

“Just say the word,” she whispers finally, pushing herself up and away from her trembling wife. If there is one thing Rhiannon knows about the young Whitaker, it’s that she is incorrigibly selfish. She will run as far as, and as fast as she can from her troubles. And if Rhiannon wants her gone, Soleil is already halfway there.

It’s the truth. Soleil may have loved Elouise Orlav at some point, but never in the way she loves her wife. Her attraction to Elouise started out as a fascination - the tall blonde had been the first to show Soleil any kind of attention and affection, and it made her feel wanted, for once. But, Elouise was married. And Jameson was her boss. So, she moved on.

She found Rhiannon.

And that’s when she knew she’d been saved to love this woman as fiercely as she could manage.

Soleil begins to step forward, but stops herself. How quickly she forgets that she is not at any liberty to touch her wife.

“I want you. I will always want you.”

If she could give Rhiannon her beating heart, she would. Just to prove that she’d do anything for her. She’d told herself not to beg, but suddenly, she finds words of desperation spilling from between her lips.

She’s never seen her wife look so small, and it sends cracks rippling through the very last piece of her already fragile heart. “I…” she chokes, tears once more spilling down her cheeks. She feels violently nauseous at the prospect of saying it out loud, and so, her mouth snaps shut, lips press themselves into a thin line.

Soleil doesn’t flinch when Rhiannon lifts her hand. In fact, she almost wishes that the angel would strike her because physical pain is quantifiable. And much easier to endure than emotional or mental agony. So, she looks up with pleading eyes, as if to say ‘distract me from this heartache.’

It doesn’t take her long to get to the hotel. The woman at the concierge desk is pleasant, and Soleil almost manages a smile. The elevator ride up is long as dread begins to settle in. She pauses just before swiping the keycard.

A green light flashes.

This is your last chance to run.

Soleil shakes the thought from her skull. She wants this, she wants Rhiannon. And the family. The future they’d planned. She wants it all, even if she’s no longer entitled to it. Pushing through the door, she can hear Rhiannon’s heartbeat, which immediately dispels some of the tension held in her muscles.

Soleil has no knowledge of how much time has passed when her phone lets out a shrill ring. She’d been staring at the same spot on the adjacent wall for so long that her vision had long since blurred. Her bones let out a whine when she moves to take her phone from the coffee table.

Can you come here?

She stares at the blue iMessage bubble, almost confused by the request. But, she is quick to respond, fingers deftly tapping out a response.

The pain becomes unbearable when Rhiannon turns and disappears out the front door. There is nothing for Soleil to do but collapse against the doorframe, a broken wail torn from the back of her throat. She’d held it together for the flight back, but now… in an empty house, surrounded by memories of a love she betrayed, she crumbles.

She can’t bear to think of the family she’d planned to build with Rhiannon. She can’t stand to think of the ways they’ll have to pretend when Susanne brings Wilson over in the morning. But, when the timer sounds, she drags herself to her feet, and takes the cupcakes out of the oven, frosting them neatly only after they’ve cooled.

Soleil stands in the middle of the kitchen - of their kitchen - for a while, fingers picking nervously at her calluses. Then, her feet are carrying her up the stairs, and into the bedroom. There are things she needs to pack, things she needs to put away in the event that Rhiannon decides that things are over. It’s a slow, agonizing process, but undeniably necessary. When she is done, she leaves the packed bags in the front hall closet, out of the purview of cautious, judging eyes (namely, Susanne).

Time slows as Rhiannon moves to collect her belongings, and Soleil lifts her gaze just enough to watch the woman she loves distance herself. Her heart aches, but there’s a part of her that knows she deserves everything that’s coming to her.

The angel’s response is surprisingly calm, and it is only in the given situation that Soleil would much prefer explosive anger. She could handle yelling and screaming because at least, then, she’d know just how Rhiannon is feeling. But, the resignation expressed in the pair of simple “okay’s” rips Soleil’s beating heart right out from the middle of her chest.

“Stay.”

I’ll go.

She so desperately wants to reach out and stop the woman from leaving. But, she knows she is no longer entitled to physical contact.

“This is your home.”

I know I have no place here, anymore.

Soleil shuffles past her wife. She finds no reason for begging - not for the sake of her pride (for she has none in this moment), but rather for the simple fact that it’d be a waste of Rhiannon’s time. She loves the angel vehemently, and will continue to do so for the rest of her days. But, the fate of their marriage is no longer in her hands. She’s made her bed. Now, she must sleep in it. Alone.

“Hey,” she breathes as Rhiannon throws her arms around her neck. Instinctively, Soleil pulls her close. Even with the amount of anguish she holds in chest, she can’t help it. But, it’s only a mere moment until she pushes the angel away.

“Don’t. Please.”

Although she is already missing the way Rhiannon feels against her, Soleil feels dirty. Tainted. Too disgraced for her own wife to touch her. It’s impossible for her to keep her sins concealed from the one person who knows her best. But, she doesn’t know where to start.

Soleil remembers how broken and inconsolable Rhiannon had been when she'd returned home after her affair with Callum, her ex-husband. And in this moment, it’s not just remorse that drives her away from the woman. It’s an abhorrence for herself and for her actions, for the way she’d violated her promise to her wife, for the indubitable heartbreak she’s about to cause.

Truth is, Soleil is standing on the curb, staring up at the brownstone that had become her fortress of unwavering love and trust. But after last night, trust does not, and cannot, exist in the Whitaker household.

At least, not in Soleil’s mind.

With a shaky breath, the young woman trudges up the front steps, pushing through the front door thereafter. “Rhiannon?” she calls, dropping her bag in the front hall. Silently, she pads into the kitchen, where she knows her wife is baking cupcakes in preparation of their adoptive son’s visit.

Wife. Son. Family.

The concept sends shards of regret and shame through her heart, and she almost reaches up to press a palm to her sternum. She can’t bare to look at the woman with caramel colored eyes as she loiters in the doorframe. The temptation to flee is almost overwhelming - her bag is packed already, so all she needs to do is pick it up and run.

-shrugs-
-pulls out phone to show her texts-
I think she got butt-hurt that I wasn't at her beck and call, for once.
-shrugs again-Whatever.
-pulls her into affectionate embrace-
I'm catching a flight out tonight. Took the liberty of booking you a seat as well.
-buries face into her neck-
That okay?

-yelps-
-uncharacteristic giggle-
You're everything to me. Absolutely everything.
-cups her cheek-
I'm blessed that I get to spend the rest of my days with you.
-serious heart eyes-
I can't imagine ever feeling this way about someone else.

I can't help it.
-fidgets-
I just... you make me feel all these things, and I...
-mutters incoherently-
I love you. I'm so, so in love with you. And my heart just...
-wild hand gestures, sound effects-
You know?

Intimacy is something that Soleil Whitaker has become very familiar with, especially when her wife is involved. There is no doubt that she is, in every way possible, addicted. On occasion, insecurity overwhelms her, and Soleil gets caught up on the thought that their relationship is nothing more than physical. But, of course, it spans beyond that.

Sex - making love - is their expression of trust, admiration, and devotion.

Soleil pours her heart into the way she kisses Rhiannon, and she hopes her wife knows, in that moment, that no one and nothing else matters. “You are absolutely everything to me,” she murmurs as their lips part, “I’m crazy in love with you."

-leans in to press lips to her neck-
How did I get so lucky? How are you here with me?
-mutters against her skin-
How is it possible to be this... hot?
-leans away to give her another once over-
God, I f*cking love you.

Absolutely adorable.
-wraps arms around her shoulders-
How about we head home? We can take a bath, finish that bottle of Chateaux Petrus. Cuddle? Watch TV?
-nuzzles-
I can kiss you silly, or until you forget your name.

I don't like knowing that I got carried away. Some of your bruises are dark, baby.
-frowns-
And you don't heal as quickly as I do.
-sad puppy-
I wish I'd been more gentle.
-scoops her up again-
But, yes. Skinny dipping. Anything you want, remember?

-carries her out into kitchen-
-plops her onto counter-
I went out to get dinner while you were... asleep.
-sheepish grin-
I couldn't find a Wendy's.
-hands over a MacDonald's bag-
Burger. Fries. Shake in the freezer.

Uh huh.
-isn't really listening-
Platonic or not, he can't f*ck you like I can.
-calmly puts phone down, leads her to bedroom-
Know that I love you, Rhiannon Whitaker. Regardless of what I'm about to do to your body.
-kisses her roughly-
This is just so you never forget that you're mine. And that I hate to share.

-jumps-
Jesus. I didn't see you. I got distracted... by pancakes.
-takes milk, bobs head in thanks-
Of course I missed you. I went for a swim. Some woman tried to chat me up as I was getting out of the water. But, I yelled that I had a wife, and then sprinted up here.
-shoves another pancake in mouth-
What've you been up to?

"Well, alrighty then. I'll make no comments about butts. Well, her butt. Or yours. My wife has a nice tush, though. And I'm pretty sure she'll kill anyone who looks at MY tush. So pretty much like you guys. Right?"

He lets out an audible sigh. "Lesbians. Thank god." He then pauses with an absolutely bewildered expression. "Sorry, you just wouldn't believe the day I'm having. It's like I'm giving off some sort of pheromone. That would be a yes for dinner, so long as it's beer, and every sentence has a ten word limit."

Atticus stares at the woman. And stares. Because, honestly, these people were way too friendly for his tastes. Save Mackenzie, who is far wittier than him, and keeps him on his toes. He looks at this 'Rhiannon' with widening gray eyes, offering his palm over before he truly knows how to react. "Ah. Well, hi, Rhiannon. You obviously know I'm Atticus. It's... Nice to meet you." He watches as she scrawls out her number on his palm, noting to himself he would have to transfer it to his phone before it smeared. "Let's sit in awkward silence sometime soon. 'Kay?"

-catches her by the waist, slings her over shoulder-
-marches straight for bedroom-
I wouldn't say that I'm mean, Rhiannon.
-tosses her onto bed, does not hesitate to take her pants of-
In fact, I'd argue that I'm quite the opposite.
-tugs her to edge of bed, settles between her legs-

Tsk, so impatient.
-tangles fingers in her hair, tugs her head back gently-
You know, good things come to those who wait.
-nips at her neck-
And to those who don't whine.
-slips hand under her shirt, cops a feel-

-shakes head-
Not yet, let's watch the sunset?
-plans to make her wait-Or if you're so eager...
-stands, sets her back in wicker deck chair-
I can make a quick trip right now.
-kneels in front of her, hands on her thighs-
-wicked grin-

-arms immediately wrap around her waist-
Hey, you.
-grins up at-
Really? Huh. I come here often.
-presses kiss to her neck-
Almost every night, in fact. It's my new favorite spot.
-mutters against her skin-
Besides between your legs, of course.

-blinks-
-is being dragged-
Oh. I didn't...
-snorts-
Babe, you're so smooth. I can't handle it sometimes.
-stops, pulls her close-
Do you know how much I love you?
-presses long, lingering kiss to her lips-

-swats at-
I know where your mind is tonight.
-scolds teasingly-
You have, darling. But, I'm not nearly as gorgeous as you are.
-sets glass down, wraps arms around her waist
C'mere, you. I haven't been close to you in forever.

-trots in, chocolate in hand-
Do you know how much I love you?
-huge grin-
Like, to the moon and back isn't even close to how much. It's like...
-starts waving wildly-
To the furthest planet and back an infinite number of times.

-rolls eyes-
You're a teenaged boy. Pretty much anything will get you going.
-nudges playfully-
I'm here for it, though. You so much as breathe in a certain way, and I'm...
-leans in close, whispers in her ear-
-leans away, smirks-
You know?

You know the answer to that, Rhiannon.
-reaches around to cop a feel-
Blanket forts always seem to put you in the mood, and I want to show you just how much I missed you today.
-huge smirk-
Dinner after, though. I'm hungry.

Yes. It made grocery shopping very difficult.
-nuzzles-
I was distracted by you all day. I'm sorry my errands took so long.
-small smile-
But, everyday is a good day as long as I get to come home to you.

-hisses-
Babe. No slapping for another few hours.
-tries not to smirk-
You only say that because you did this to me...
-gestures down to multitude of bruises-
You're lucky I adore you. Luckier that I'm here for it, too.

-starts fidgeting-
I have to go visit El. I told her I'd bring over Taco Bell. And I want to see Logan.
-hangs head-
Plus, she's been spending too much time with that new guy. Tucker.
-peeks up at-
I'll let you take advantage of me when I get home?
-sheepish grin-

-scoffs-
Margot and I aren't just friends, babe.
-stifles laughter-
We're boys. With a 'z'.
-can't help but cackle-
I'm sorry.
-leans in to press kiss to her cheek-
Margot is already traumatized. She lived with us, remember?

-is so ready to comply-
-lets her guide hand-
F*ck, I'm in love with you.
-trails kisses across her jaw and down her neck-
What do you say we take the wine and dessert to the bedroom? After I'm done with you, of course.
-wicked, wicked grin-

-grins-
No need to apologize, gorgeous.
-backs her into nearest surface... hall table, maybe?-
I like when you're possessive.
-lifts her onto hall table-
-wraps arms around her neck-
You don't have to ask me twice.

-makes way back to apartment-
That's perfectly fine with me, darling.
-sets her down, keeps arms wrapped around her waist-
What do I have to do to prove to you that you're my one and only?
-presses foreheads together-
Exes are exes for a reason, Rhiannon. And I have no room in my head for thoughts of past lovers.

-brow furrows-
You're the only one who's fixated on them?
-leans in close, nudges with nose-
I promise you, baby, you're the only one who matters to me.
-small smile-
From now, until the day I die. And long after that, too.
-gentle kiss-
Bedroom. Of course.

-comes sprinting up onto the roof-
Rhiannon Whitaker.
-sweeps her into arms-
I swear, if you're still caught up on my exes...
-presses needy, lingering kiss to her lips-
I'm just gonna have to keep your mouth too preoccupied to ask questions.

None of that matters, baby.
-reciprocates fervent kisses-
I love you, I'm in love with you.
-leans away just for a moment-
You're the very best I've ever had, Rhiannon. And I don't want or need anyone else, now.

-takes her hands, laces fingers together-
-rolls eyes-
You're ridiculous.
-pulls her down-
But, I love you, still.
-gives her nose a peck-
Don't be sorry, darling. I was never really lonely... I had people in my life.

-puts hands on her thighs-
No time spent with you is wasted, Rhiannon.
-smiles up at-
I cherish every second I get with you.
-swats at-
How was I supposed to know? I was a little down on the love life luck.
-pauses-
Well, really on the social life luck. I wasn't that... social.

-coy grin-
I plead the fifth.
-winks at-
I wanted to kiss you in Wendy's. On the first day we met. You were... I have no words to describe how stunning you were.
-nuzzles-
I mean, it makes sense now. You're literally a gift from God.
-peppers kisses across her cheeks-
But, you're right. I was a goner the second you looked in my direction.

-looks up at, squints-
You assumed I'd just be down to sleep with you?
-pft's-Rude.
-small smile-
I was in love with you right from the start. I knew you'd be the one, I felt it in my heart.
-takes her hand, puts it over heart-
I'd never felt anything like it.

-huge grin-
-tangles fingers in her hair, keeps her close-
No one makes me happier, Rhiannon.
-pulls her in for another kiss-
I could never tire of holding you, of being close to you.
-lets hands wander-
Of feeling your skin under my hands...
-clears throat-
Sorry.

-reaches up to wipe away more tears-
Baby, no crying.
-kisses both her cheeks tenderly-
I could never mean to break your heart. I will always strive to keep it whole.
-cups her chin, tilts her head up-
-serious heart eyes-
You're all I want and need. I would do anything to ensure your happiness.

I mean it.
-gives her an affection squeeze-
You're my very best friend in the world. The one person I want to spend the rest of my days with.
-takes her hand, places it over heart-
My heart beats for you, Rhiannon Whitaker. All that I am, all that I have is yours.

-sighs-
If your sister needs to go to the hospital because she's proven you wrong, you'll be the one to take her.
-wriggles in her arms-
And I'll just come along for the ride, sulking.
-reaches to grope her ass-

-rolls eyes-Fine. I get it.
-wraps legs around her waist, pulls her close-
You're biased, but thank you, baby. You look beautiful, too.
-bumps noses-
You take my breath away.
-beckons toward oven-
Brownies. I'm feeling some wife time featuring some... different herbs.
-smirks-
Figured we could throw in a little Sage since he just came out with a new album.

-leans away-
This is all hypothetical, isn't it?
-plays dumb-
All I'm saying is if we make the delivery boy wait, then other deliveries will be delayed.
-toothy grin-
I'm just trying to be considerate.

-blinks at-
Okay.
-slips out of bed, goes to find Margot-
-pads back in-
She said she has plans already.
-makes face-
So, it's just us. Are you sure you don't have a preference?
-sits on edge of bed-
We don't have to do what I want.

-slips hands under hem of her shirt-
-revels in the way her skin feels-Nothing can c*ck block you, Rhiannon.
-can't help but laugh-
Maybe like, an earthquake?
-ponders-
Probably not.
-takes her face in hands, kisses her fervidly-

I'm sorry.
-presses a kiss to her forehead-
I just... she only calls when it's a real emergency. Not like, you know, an 'Elouise Orlav' emergency.
-sighs-
It doesn't matter. Not right now.
-runs fingers through her hair-
Cuddles?

Of course I do. Without Him, I wouldn't have you.
-nuzzles-
You're the reason I rediscovered my faith...
-is interrupted by a phone call, curses-
Hold on, it's Elouise. I'll only be a second.
-gives her sad, apologetic eyes-

-is emotional, lovey dovey mush again-
I just... I'm so in love with you. Holy f*ck.
-just stares at with the biggest heart eyes ever-
How are you real? How are you mine?
-leans in for a kiss-
You're stuck with me, either way.

-beckons for her to step out of tub-
-wraps her in towel, pulls her close-
Dry off and I'll grab the champagne?
-leans in to kiss her neck-
Don't get too comfortable in bed, though...
-smirks-
I'm in desperate need of you, too.

How am I gonna text you, now?
-looks at phone, tosses it too-
Looks like I'll just have to stay close to you until we get them fixed.
-slips hand under her shirt-
I hope you'll never be done with me, baby. I can't get enough of you.

-carries her over to the bed-
-sets her down gently, crawls on top of-
-trail of gentle kisses-
"For me, you are treasure more laden
with immensity than the sea and its branches."
-mutters a few lines of Neruda's 'The Infinite One' against her skin-
"From your feet to your brow,
walking, walking, walking,
I shall spend my life."

I'm too temperamental.
-shrugs-
You know I'd do anything for you, even possibly carry a child. But, I don't think...
-shakes head-
It's really not a good idea, babe. Trust me.
-pulls her close-
Now, you, on the other hand. My god, you'd be more of a vision than you are right now.

They don't matter because they only woman I'm thinking of right now is you.
-long exhale-
You're the only one I ever think about, baby.
-laces fingers in her hair-
-pulls her into a long, lingering kiss-
There's no room in my head for anything or anyone else.

-nods-
I know, babe. You never leave room for me to doubt.
-eskimo kisses-
-mutters something about potatoes, happy sigh-
Wanna go to the movie tonight? After dinner, I mean?
-has no idea where that came from-

-blinks slowly-
I don't think I show you enough.
-deep sigh-
Although, I do try.
-laces their fingers together-
Give me this time, please? For my heart, at least?
-has two moods: 'total puppy' and 'sad puppy'-

-chews on inside of cheek-
-contemplates-
I will never have the words to express how much you mean to me, Rhiannon. And, as you know, I've never been good with words, anyways.
-pauses-
Sometimes, I just...
-is beginning to get frustrated-
Words aren't enough, so my actions need to make up for that. And it's not just sex, it's the small gestures too. I don't think I express it enough.
-fidgets-
I'm sorry I upset you. I'm not the best with emotions, but I know when I've done wrong by you.

-slips off counter, leads her to bedroom-
C'mere.
-sits on edge of bed, pats lap-
Is it so hard for you to give up control, babe?
-has turned into a soft pile of affection-
I just want to love on you. And... I love the way you make me feel, but sometimes...
-shrugs-
Sometimes I feel the need to reciprocate.

-nods-
Sure, baby.
-tangles fingers into her hair, pulls her into another kiss-
You could never be neglectful, you know. Not even if you tried.
-toothy grin-
You show me all the right kinds of attention.

-yelps in surprise-
Well, good morning to you too.
-laughs-
I'm sorry I left to pee, Rhiannon.
-kicks legs-
You could've just waited, you know... a few minutes. It's too early for me to be up and active, you know that.
-winks right back-

-allows arms to automatically wrap around her shoulders-
This must be true love.
-snorts-
I feel like the exchange we just had would not fly between anyone else.
-leans in for a kiss-
You're my soulmate.

Uh huh.
-blinks at, practically drools-
F*ck, you're hot.
-reaches around to run hands up her back-
I've definitely died and gone to heaven.
-is in shock, and more drunk than it appears-
Baby, god, you feel so good.

Hmm? Oh. Oh.
-pouts-
And here I was thinking you were concerned for my safety.
-playful scoff-I don't want you walking home. Hah.
-prods-
You just wanna take advantage of me.
-presses a fervent kiss to her lips-
Lead the way, then.

I like when you touch me, babe. You know that.
-nuzzles-
I'm yours, Rhiannon. All that I am, all that I have is yours.
-big, pathetic heart eyes-
Wanna snuggle up on the couch after dinner? Movie marathon? Netflix, maybe? Find something new?

-Pads into the kitchen-
We'll see about that.
-wraps arms around her from behind-
You can be pretty damn eager, regardless of how much wine you have to drink.
-presses lingering kiss to her neck-
Did you decide on dinner?

-rolls off, disappears for a moment-
-returns holding a blindfold & handcuffs-
We're skipping the outfit. But we can still use parts of it.
-another wicked grin-
Wrists? Tonight I'm showing you who's in charge.

Well then, c'mere.
-hooks fingers into her belt loops
What do you say we crack a bottle of champagne before I take advantage of you?
-pulls her flush against body-
Or we can just...
-tilts head in direction of bedroom-Skip that.

-blinks-Excuse me?
-is so confused-
Lemme see that.
-snatches phone, reads through issue of D&S-
-snorts-Butt pincher.
-clears throat-
Noura Orlav. Jameson's sister. I tried to nab her wallet when I saw her at the Compound a few days ago. A couple a quick bucks, you know?
-waves dismissively-

No, no. Babe, that's not...
-gets flustered-
Uhm, you know that's not what I meant.
-kicks legs-
I would've loved you regardless, but you know.
-can't help but grin-
The ass and the bangin' bod certainly helps.

It wasn't just the brownstone, babe.
-chews lip-
It was the notion of moving back to New York.
-shrugs-
I'm glad you convinced me, though. I'd be happy anywhere with you, but I'm especially happy there.

-fishes around in bag for a pen-
I'll sign the divorce papers willingly. You deserve better than that.
-wraps arms around her, leans in close-
I love you, Rhiannon Whitaker. More than I'll ever be able to express.
-presses gentle kiss to her lips-
I missed you.

A low growl erupts from the back of Soleil’s throat, and almost instantaneously, she has Rhiannon on her back. She knows her wife is simply goading her, but it’s easy (and mutually beneficial) to play into. She leans in to press a kiss to her wife’s neck, gradually shifting to pepper her chest and collarbones with affection. “I f*cking love you,” she murmurs, fingertips ghosting over bare skin, “You’re so goddamn beautiful.”

She glances up to catch a glimpse of Rhiannon’s expression. Grinning, she adds, “It’s too bad you’re going to have to cover up after I’m done with you."

“You always know what’s going on in my head, Rhiannon,” she states, sure that her wife knows her mind is only ever on the love of her life. There is no room in the confines of her head to fit anything other than thoughts of the angel.

She sits up some, hands finding their way under Rhiannon’s shirt. “As for what I want to do to her, well…” - a smirk takes command of her lips - “I guess you’ll have to wait and see. Perhaps tonight? If you're up for some fun?"

Soleil lets out an involuntary whimper. F*ck. The sensation of Rhiannon’s teeth and lips against her neck is almost overwhelming at this hour, and she shifts in attempt to gain some control. But, her wife is stronger than she looks, and with knees planted firmly on the mattress, hands tangled in blonde hair, she is almost immovable. Soleil's eyes widen at Rhiannon’s final assertion.

Bring her into bed then.

“Are you sure?” she inquires, eyes scanning the angel’s face for any trace of uncertainty. So trusting and confident in her love for Rhiannon, Soleil sees flirting as a game. Harmless? For the Whitaker women, yes. Manipulative? More so than Soleil cares to admit. Her new friend, Vee, is simply caught in the middle.

Soleil is jolted out of a peaceful slumber by the sound of her wife's shrieking voice. She lifts her arms to shield her face from an onslaught. "Babe," she grumbles, "Babe, Rhiannon. Stop."

She blinks a few times, her enraged wife coming into focus finally. Her fingers find their way around Rhiannon's wrists, and she tugs her arms down to her sides. "Baby," she coos, "You're not going to prison. Vee is a friend. You know you're the only one for me." She stares up at the woman, gaze soft with genuine love and adoration. She's surprised, and frankly, rather wounded by Rhiannon's outburst - surely her wife knows that she has no intention of being more than friends with Vee.

-swats at-
Rhiannon. I know you're not their biggest fan, but they were my parents. They did provide for me, you know.
-clears throat-
I don't want to talk about them.
-slips hands under her shirt to cop a feel-

Hey you.
-wraps arms around tightly-
-holds her close-
Happy to be home. I missed you.
-kisses her all over-
I'm sorry I left without saying anything. I should've at least left a note. My head has been in all different places lately.
-sighs, shakes head-
But, I'm here now. There's nowhere else I'd rather be than in your arms.

I'm sorry, baby. I don't have much of an appetite right now.
-rests forehead on her shoulder, lets shower run-
I feel bad that you went to all the effort to make dinner, though.
-tightens grip around her-I love you.

I... I can do that.
-shuffles back toward her to take discarded clothes-
I'm sorry. I didn't mean for you to pick up after me.
-deliberately avoids question
I'll be quick in the shower. I just want, I need to rinse off.

-snorts-
Really? I just called you ma'am because I couldn't think of anything else...
-drops forehead to her shoulder-
I'm so embarrassing. You make me nervous sometimes.
-turns head to press a kiss to her neck-
But only in the best way, of course.

I don't know. Dress me?
-winks-
So you can undress me later.
-presses a kiss to her cheek-Oh! By the way, met a woman on my way home.
-shrugs-
Looked new to the area, invited her for drinks sometime.
-wicked grin-
And I think she was picking up what I was putting down.

I know I should be offended that you just insulted my mother, but...
-shrugs-
You're not wrong.
-takes one last huge bite-
I won't choke, Rhiannon. I'm sorry I'm eager to enjoy a meal my wife made for me.
-reaches out to poke her side-

-sits up, grins-
Ugh, you're so good to me.
-reaches out for her instead of tray-
C'mere, so I can kiss your face.
-smothers her in kisses-
Margot does have quite the appetite, I'm always impressed by her.

Funny you should say that, I was just thinking about that time on the hood of the Mustang. Outside the brownstone? Remember?
-huge smirk-F*ck, that was good.
-blushes just thinking about it-
I just like loving on you. It's my favorite thing to do. Besides wake up with you in my arms.

Rhiannon
Was last night okay? You know that I love you, right?
I made tea for when you're ready.
And Margot just brought back some vatrushki - said it was some kind of Russian breakfast pastry?
I love you. I love you.

-breaks away from her grasp-
On your feet, then.
-wicked grin-
You can hold on to the sides of the counter if need be. And if you think you're going to be too loud, let me know what you'd like to bite down on.

-blinks-
-clears throat-Hey.
-regains composure-
I haven't thanked you for flying out here yet, have I?
-smirks, wraps arms around her waist-
How about I start now, and make the flight worth your while?

“You’ve got a one track mind tonight, gorgeous,” Soleil laughs, hands finding their place on Rhiannon’s thighs. She nods in silent consent, letting her wife know that is exactly what she wants now, and always. A lifetime of love, intimacy and sex with Rhiannon is more than Soleil could ask for.

“I just needed to hear it.”

The confession is simple, but resolute. A total sap at heart, Soleil makes note of all the small, seemingly trivial things she loves about her wife. She has two favorite sounds in this world, both of which pertain to the woman with caramel colored eyes: one, her heartbeat, and two, the way ‘I love you’ tumbles from between her lips.

“Why did you?” she asks before letting out a startled yelp. She doesn’t press for an answer, entirely distracted by the way Rhiannon has woman-handled her. She can only manage to squeak out a ‘yes’ in response.

“Say you love me back,” she grumbles, kicking her legs in childish protest.

This return to normalcy is exactly what she needs, and Soleil can’t help but roll her eyes at the showing of Rhiannon’s f*ckboy nature. She smiles against her wife’s lips, heart fluttering against her ribcage as she leans in for another kiss.

“I love you,” she whispers as she is pulled onto the couch and into Rhiannon’s arms, “You’re my whole heart. My everything.” She takes a moment to caress her cheek, eyes scanning her face, and committing it to memory just as she’s done countless times before. She’ll never get over just how breathtaking Rhiannon is. Every day by her side is nothing short of a blessing.

Soleil lets out a breathy laugh as she presses her face to Rhiannon’s neck. “I’m sorry, beautiful,” she mutters, “Thank you for letting me sleep, though.” Feeling refreshed, she’s in high spirits, the events of the past days a distant memory in the back of her mind. For the moment, at least.

She shakes her head. Truth be told, the only thing she’s hungry for is intimacy with her wife. Her arms find their way around her slim waist, pulling her up against her body. “Could we just” - she pauses to nod in the direction of the couch - “Sit? Netflix, maybe? Mindless tv? I just… I need to be close to you."

Soleil is beyond disoriented when she wakes. She jolts upright, eyes searching for any indication of the time. Groaning, she flops back against the pillows, realizing she’d slept the entire day away. She swings her legs over the side of the bed, muscles protesting against the swift motion, and slowly, she shuffles out into the rest of the apartment in search of her wife.

The young woman nods as added affirmation, and her hands immediately return to Rhiannon’s hips. This is the most alive she’s felt in days, and silently, she thanks God for the woman in her arms, acknowledging that without her, she’d be… well, not here, and not who she is now.

More ‘I love you’s’ slip past her lips as Rhiannon undresses her slowly, peppering her bare skin with gentle kisses. This is good - this feels even better. In this current moment, Soleil finds the calmness and the security she’s been craving in the last few days. In Rhiannon’s arms, she finds heaven.

Naturally, she begins to apologize once more, but is interrupted by a lingering kiss. The sides of her mouth tug upwards into a small smile as she revels in how sweet Rhiannon’s lips taste - once again reminded of how much she loves kissing her wife.

“I missed this,” she sighs, settling in, “I missed you so much.” Her fingers tangle themselves into Rhiannon’s dark locks, tugging her back into another kiss. This one is desperate, and soon it’s a clash of teeth and tongue. Her hands begin to wander from her hair to her hips, fingers grasping to pull her closer. But suddenly, she leans away, breathless. This moment is not about sex, and she is not one to make her wife feel obligated to comply. As much as she missed her, Soleil is content with simply laying in her arms.

All Soleil can manage through her sobbing are broken apologies. At this point, she’s asking forgiveness for a multitude of things - for her reluctance to open up, for her temper, for the things she cannot express, for the choices she may or may not have to make moving forward. She knows that Rhiannon hadn’t asked for something like this in loving her; she’s aware that there are many things she needs to work on to be a better wife.

But, in this moment, nothing hurts more than knowing that Rhiannon is asking for something Soleil is not capable of doing. Yet.

It is next to impossible for the young Whitaker to just rely on someone other than herself. She has been conditioned to be independent, to rely on nothing but her own capabilities. And as inconvenient - and perhaps, hurtful - as it is to Rhiannon and their relationship, it is not a habit that is easily broken. But, for this woman, Soleil would move mountains.

Her arms unwind from her own frame, and find their way around Rhiannon. “I’m sorry,” she repeats, face pressed to her wife’s neck, “I love you. I do. Always. I’ll be better. I promise.”

She looks up through watery eyes, and Rhiannon is just as beautiful - if not even more so - as the first time she laid eyes on her. She cannot help but lean in to press a kiss to her lips, hoping to somehow convey how much love she holds in her heart for the angel.

She’s not fine, and she knows it. Memories she’d repressed years ago are flooding back into her consciousness, streaming through her purview and disrupting not only her sleep cycle and eating habits, but also the way in which she interacts with others. She can feel her heart breaking in her chest, knowing that the things that haunt her - the things she cannot share with Rhiannon - are just adding insult to injury.

She sighs, head dropping forward in defeat. “I’m sorry, I’m so sorry. The things I’ve seen are unfathomable, the things I know now are… I can't…”

She stops, tears of her own now cascading down her cheeks. An involuntary wail is ripped from the back of her throat, the pressure and stress of the last 72 hours finally bubbling over. She crumples to the floor, arms wrapping around her torso. It is a pathetic scene to be witness to, but Soleil Whitaker has finally found her breaking point.

Soleil has had very little to say up until this point. With all that is happening at the Compound, all that is going on in her head, she has found it difficult to form and use words on her own. Even in reuniting with her wife earlier in the day, words were scarce. But, the sheer magnitude of Rhiannon’s sadness has her rocked.

“I am not asking you to leave me,” she hisses back, jumping to her own feet as Rhiannon gets up. She stalks to the opposite side of the room, fists clenching and unclenching at her sides. She takes a breath before allowing the words to tumble from her mouth. It takes every ounce of self-control not to raise her voice; as angry as she is, even she knows that yelling is not an effective way to communicate.

“It is a struggle because you have the audacity to come here when I asked you to stay in New York. You’ve completely disregarded my wishes because what? You know better?”

Soleil blinks her eyes open at the sound of her wife’s voice. The statement doesn’t register at first; Soleil is too preoccupied with the sensation of having Rhiannon close. Arms weave their way around her slim waist, pulling their bodies flush; lips find their way once more to Rhiannon’s own.

“I could never hate you, baby.”

Abruptly, she pulls away and sits upright, pressing her back to the headboard. “But, that doesn’t mean I’m not upset,” she confesses, “I told you to stay in New York.”

Soleil knows (and accepts) that it is the angel's duty to protect her. But, she doesn’t understand how Rhiannon could be so remiss in listening to her own wife. The young woman cannot seem to express how dangerous it is for Rhiannon to be in Moscow - with Jameson Orlav missing and his wife amidst what some would call a psychotic break, there is no way of guaranteeing her safety. And Soleil is angry with the prospect of allowing harm to come to her.

But, the young woman is terrible at expressing her emotions and articulating her innermost thoughts; it is simply not in her nature to do so. Instead, she crosses her arms over her chest, as if to close off her heart to the one person she knows loves her unconditionally.

The shock and horror of the Orlav laboratory has taken a toll on Soleil's physical and emotional well-being. It is amazing, even in the short 3 days she's been in Russia, how quickly things have changed.

She eats slowly, utensils held precariously in her hands. To her surprise, her body does not revolt against the newly acquired sustenance. Instead, she lets out an involuntary bum of satisfaction as she downs another piece of quiche. She complies when her wife takes hold of her waist, and guides her to the bedroom.

"I know," she responds, fingertips reaching out to trace Rhiannon's facial features, "I trust you." For the first time in days, her eyelids begin to slide shut, and Soleil doesn't fight to stay awake.

"Baby, did you..."

Sleep overtakes her before she can finish her inquiry. Natural slumber or not, it is much needed.

Soleil shuffles into her Moscow apartment. She is angry, of course - irate, even, with how Rhiannon had so blatantly disregarded her wishes. But, her heart softens some as she catches a glimpse of her wife standing in the kitchen. Soleil drops her bag, and hastily collects Rhiannon up into her arms, lips immediately finding the pair she’d missed so much. ‘I love you's’ and ‘I missed you's’ are spilling from her mouth before Rhiannon can manage a response of her own.

She doesn’t let go, doesn’t step away. She can’t, not yet.

This is the most secure she’s felt in days. She is sleep-deprived, and starving; the mere mention of homemade quiche had her mouth watering during her commute to the Arbat district. Her pale complexion exacerbates the dark circles that have formed under her eyes, and her typical posture has been reduced to a hung head and drooping shoulders.

“I’m sorry,” she whispers, still clinging to her wife. The angel will take the apology for last night’s insolent behavior. But, Soleil is apologizing for much more than her callous demeanor.

Rhiannon
I am only trying to protect you.
I know that it must be strange for you to hear, but you do not know the things I have seen here in the last 48 hours.
I hope that you get some rest, darling. I'll be thinking of you.

Rhiannon
I need you to listen to me, Rhiannon.
I can handle these nightmares, I had them long before I met you.

The text isn't intended to be dismissive, but 'delivered' pops up underneath the text bubble before Soleil can change the wording. She's already cringing, confident that Rhiannon will read it in it's unintentional voice of contempt. Quickly, she taps out another message.

Rhiannon
I cannot stand the thought of you being in harm's way.
I understand that it is your job to be here with me. But, I can take care of myself.
I love you. I miss you. But, I need you safe in New York.

Rhiannon
Can we FaceTime? I want your face to be the last thing I see before I fall asleep. As if I was home with you.
You don't have to feel obligated to talk, I just want it to feel like you're close.
Is that okay?

Rhiannon
Aw babe. :( I tried to snuggle with Fish, but he was too restless.
Something's got him on edge, too.
I wish I was there to hold you. I can't even begin to tell you how much I'm missing my girls.

Rhiannon
I'm sorry, baby. You know that I love you, I'm just not in the right mindset right now.
It's the travel and the work, and the distance. It's all just... miserable. I'm miserable.
How are you and Luna holding up?

"I'd crawl through Heaven and Hell to come home to you," she murmurs, "I'd die for you, Rhiannon Whitaker."

The words come out strangled, but she hopes that her wife will know them to be true. Desperation is palpable in the way she presses her lips to Rhiannon's, the expression of love mingling with the taste of salt on her tongue. What feels like a lifetime passes before Soleil's phone chimes. The Uber is here.

They load the car in silence, and even Fish is beginning to realize the gravity of the situation at hand. Soleil knows that one last glance back will drive her to tell the young man in the front seat to stop and let her out, so she drops her gaze to her phone.

On any given normal morning after, Soleil would pad into the bathroom to check her neck and chest for hickies. She would then march back into the bedroom, and proceed to wake her wife with a pillow to the face.

But, this morning is not normal. No, this morning is one Soleil has been dreading since she received an urgent email from Elouise Orlav. Soleil has a flight to catch. Her bag had been packed the night prior, dog crate been prepped, and both have been set out by the front door. And yet, she still drags her feet through her morning routine.

An overwhelming amount of pain and miserable longing sits heavy in her chest as she makes a final sweep of her belongings. Passport, wallet, phone & laptop, duffel, Fish. All she’ll be missing is the love of her life.

“I’ll miss you riotously,” she states, fingers entangling themselves in Rhiannon’s thick hair. She hopes Rhiannon knows this already, but she figures there’s no harm in reminding her. “You’ll be on my mind constantly. You’ll be my first and last and only thought. I promise."

Soleil’s emotions change as quickly and as frequently as the weather, and she’s aware that it can be rather irritating to the average person. So, she is forever grateful that despite how very little command she has over her own emotions, Rhiannon has shown nothing but patience and devotion. All she can do is allow for her feet to carry them over to the bed.

She’s whispering ‘I love you’ over and over again, as if to make up for all the days she’ll miss saying it in person. And then she’s laying her wife down against the pillows, lips hovering just far enough away from Rhiannon’s own.

The words are off her tongue before she can even think to stop them. She apologizes with her head hung, as the heat of shame rises in her cheeks. She’s being a brat, she knows that full well. But, the thought of being apart is getting the best of her. Swiping at her cheeks with the back of her hand, Soleil takes a deep breath.

“I trust you,” she says, hands lifting to cup Rhiannon’s cheeks, “And I trust Elouise. I just, I don’t want to be without you. I can barely handle when you leave for work.”

Soleil realizes, then, how pathetic and childlike she sounds, and her demeanor shifts. Suddenly, her hands are on the backs of Rhiannon’s thighs, pulling upwards to lift the angel. “Can I have tonight with you?” she asks once Rhiannon’s legs are locked around her waist, “I don’t know how long I’ll be gone, so I just… I want to love on you."

Soleil can’t stop the silent tears; no amount of willpower would be sufficient enough to do so, after all. She clings to Rhiannon as they make their way up to the bedroom, and she wishes - oh, how she wishes - she could bottle the sensation of being close to her wife. She’s fighting to stay present in this moment, but it already feels like she’s thousands of miles away.

“I don’t… I can’t go, Rhiannon,” she says, shutting the bedroom door quietly behind her. She stops to lean her head back against the wood, eyes sliding shut as if to stop more tears from falling. Her hand lifts to clutch at the locket around her neck.

Perhaps to her own detriment, Soleil is loyal. And right now, she’s being tested. She’s being pulled and torn in all different directions, but at the end of the day, she is faithful to the woman who owns her heart and soul. Although she knows little of why she’s being recalled to the Order’s headquarters, Soleil is already overwhelmed with all the possibilities.

Soleil’s arms immediately lift to wrap themselves around Rhiannon’s slim waist. She’s already booked an early morning flight, and it won’t take her very long to throw some clothes into a duffel. For now, her focus is on making the most of her time with Rhiannon.

“I have 24 hours to be back within the Compound walls.”

Twenty-four hours is a short period of time, especially considering the given situation. Since getting married, the Whitaker women have spent no more than mere hours apart. Now, there’s the chance they’ll go weeks without physical contact. And Soleil’s heart aches at the thought.

“I…”

There are no words. At least, none Soleil can deem as appropriate for the moment. Instead, she settles into her wife’s arms, forehead dropping to Rhiannon’s shoulder. She takes the time to revel in the warmth and security she finds there, trying (and failing, miserably) not to think of how riotously she’s going to miss it while away.

Soleil cringes at how Russian vodka sears the back of her throat. She coughs once, and shakes her head. “Liquid lunch,” she responds before offering the second shot to her wife, “You might want it.”

The Order is recalling its members back to the capital, and Soleil knows that there’s a storm brewing. Jameson Orlav has been absent for the past few weeks, and Soleil’s instinct tells her that it hasn’t been the kind of absence due to work and business. Nevertheless, she doesn’t pry when speaking with Elouise. She’d much prefer for the tall blonde to volunteer information, as unlikely as that wish may be.

She’s uncapping the bottle of Stolichnaya once again even before Rhiannon can respond. Soleil isn’t quite sure how she’s going to break the news that she needs to return to Moscow; she knows how her wife feels about her affiliation with the Order, and hyperaware of how wary she is of her friendship with Elouise. But, during her meeting with Colin, her phone had chimed, denoting that she had an unread email marked ‘urgent’ sitting in her Inbox.

Rhiannon
Colin's an old friend, one of the few I had while living here. He knows the higher-ups at the Center for Innovation.
Who knows, maybe I'll get lucky and they'll ask for a demo tape.
I love you.

Rhiannon
Do your coworkers not get suspicious of how often you go to the bathroom? And aren't you ever concerned that they might walk in if you stay in your office?
I'm not sure how long this meeting is supposed to be.
Dinner instead, maybe?

-tangles fingers in her hair-
-grins against her lips-
I'll never really need a reminder, darling. But, I love that I'll have you two close at all times.
-steals another quick kiss-
You're my heart and soul, Rhiannon.

-wide eyes-Babe.
-lifts hair, takes locket between her fingers-
It's...
-opens it up, huge smile-
It's perfect. It's so perfect.
-pulls her into a slow kiss-Thank you. I love you more than anything else in this world.

-pads into office-
Hey, you.
-sweeps her out of her seat and into arms-
-peppers kisses all over-
I missed you today. I'm sorry I had to run out as soon as I woke up, was running late for a meeting.
-presses firm kiss to her lips-
How's your day been?

-steps back, holds out hand-
Upstairs, then?
-clears throat-
I know it's a little more traditional than what we've grown accustomed to, but I...
-shuffles feet-
I wanna get close to you, feel all of you under my hands. I just... I love you so much, I want you to feel it.

I'm always missing you. But, it was really nice to just lay in your arms, you know?
-strokes her cheek-
You're my best friend.
-hooks fingers into her belt loops-
I wanna take my time with you tonight.

Chris Pratt glowed up from when he was on Parks and Rec.
-catches glimpse of him on tv-
He's a cutie regardless, but especially now... I can appreciate that he's a good-looking man.
-sits up and faces her-
-pulls her into a kiss-Definitely not as good-looking as you, though.

-settles into her arms-
-hums happily-
Honestly, it's one of my favorites.
-geeks out a little-
The CGI, the sound, the combination of genres. I don't understand how people can hate on it.
-squints-
Okay, it's a little cheesy, but...
-shrugs-

-grins sheepishly-
I'm sorry, I can't help the words that come out of my mouth sometimes.
-rolls eyes-
It's tragic, I know.
-glances down at her hand-
That kind of lovin' might not get me to be quiet, though.

Babe. Margot isn't dead. I'm just not sure if she's here or at her new apartment.
-blushes-
Stop. You're gonna make me emotional.
-takes her face in hands, kisses all over-
I'm just so grateful for you, and for all that you do for me.

Not 'just fine,' Rhiannon. No one does it better.
-sighs-
I hope you know I mean that. And I'm not just talking about in bed,
either.
-faltering smile, gives her hand a squeeze-
I know, I promise. I love you, too. Always.

Wow, okay. I was kidding.
-blinks, runs free hand through hair-
I mean, I don't know how else to prove to you that I only want you, forever. No one makes me feel the way you do.
-steals a quick glance at, returns gaze to road-
-mutters-

I hope Nancy was watching.
-snickers-
You know she only asks because she's secretly into it.
-rests hand over hers-
Either that, or she needs to live vicariously through us.
-cackles-
Anyways, ice cream?

-squeaks-
-spins around, swats at her hands-
Rhiannon, public setting.
-leans against car-
At least if you're gonna do that, give the neighbors a good look.
-takes her by the waist, pulls her into fervid kiss-

-saunters in-
Hey babe.
-wraps arms around her from behind-
If you've been procrastinsting so much, how come you asked for a distraction?
-kisses her shoulder, slips off to the side-
Lemme see what you're working on?

Rightfully Protective
"Two women treating themselves to a night out. Maybe next time you'll let me take you?"
The look on his face when I told him you're my wife was priceless. Nothing better than crushing a male ego..
I'll be up as soon as I feed the dogs.

-big smile-
I love you, too.
-follows a few steps, then pauses-Wait.
-pulls her close, dips, presses a firm kiss to her lips-
C'mon. We're gonna be late if you don't hurry that perfect ass of yours up.

I know, I didn't forget.
-stands, walks around to her side of the bed-
I made a reservation at Eleven Madison Park for tonight, and then I figured we could catch a show.
-pushes her back into bed, straddles her hips-
As for the issue of me not wanting you...
-pins her arms down-
Well, you know that's simply not true.

Rhiannon
Successful shopping spree, if I do say so myself.
Shame about that black lace bra, though - totally my fault.
Taking Fish and Luna for a walk, pick up coffee on my way home?
I love you, wife of mine.

Oh, good. You're starting to accept that I have the natural tendency to bite.
-flashes teeth-
Can't leave room for people to doubt who your wife is.
-winks, then steals a kiss-
-flips over, straddles her hips-
I'll get you anything you want, my darling.

Keep that in mind for when I'm done with you.
-smirks against her neck-
I think the forecast will be cold enough in the coming days for you to wear a scarf.
-snickers-
I'll even run out and buy you an Hermès one as consolation.

-presses a lingering kiss to her lips-
You know I love you, babe.
-pulls her closer-
And you know that I always want you.
-trails kisses down her neck and across collarbones-
You don't have to like me right now.

You could burn yourself. Be so careful.
-wandering hands-
I don't like that you cook naked. I mean, I do. But, you could hurt yourself. And that...
-frowns-
I don't like that.
-nuzzles-
I just love you. I love you a lot.

Rhiannon
It is 6:45, my darling wife.
Big ass waffles or not, I have no intention of getting out of bed for at least another 15 minutes.
How about you bring that ass of yours back upstairs so I can hold it?
... you. I meant, hold you. 😬

I know, baby. 30 minutes might as well be 30 seconds.
-frowns-
And saying goodbye isn't getting any easier. But, we have to be patient.
-gives her hand another reassuring squeeze-
It'll be worth it, Rhiannon. Don't you think?

-cackles-
Babe, Jesus.
-leans forward-
You can't fight Susanne because she's the woman who decides. We need to maintain a healthy, working relationship with her if we want Wilson to come home.
-amused smirk-
You'd kick her ass, too.

Aw, babe.
-squeezes her hand-
We're all gonna be great together. Think of how well he got along with Fish and Luna. How natural he looked here.
-soft smile-
There's no one else in this world I'd rather do this with.
-glances down at plate-
Anyways, new subject. Potatoes.

-looks down at hands, brushes thumb over her knuckles-
Thank you for dinner.
-beams at-
This is wonderful. I didn't think it could get much better, but just thinking of having Wilson home with us is...
-shakes head-
I can't even begin to describe how good it's going to feel. Even if the fridge is stocked with juice and finger foods.

-grins back-
If we were on a sinking ship, and someone yelled, "grab two things you love!" I guarantee the first thing you'd go for is my boobs.
-snorts, shrugs-
And I'd be okay with it.
-doles out more affection-
I'd grab you and the nearest... dog, maybe?

-leans in for a tender kiss-
I know, darling wife. I just wanted to hear you say it.
-grins-
I like the way it sounds. Almost as much as I do when you say 'I love you.' But not quite.
-brushes her hair back, presses gentle kisses to her face-
Your voice is my favorite in the world.

-sniffles-
-heart eyes-
Rhiannon.
-takes her face in hands-
Babe. F*ck, I'm so crazy in love with you.
-long, slow, loving kiss-
To wake up next to you every morning is the greatest honor I could ever possibly fathom. You're the love of my life, you're the reason I'm here. You're the best to and for me, and I will never have the words to sufficiently express what you mean to me.

I'm gonna take a bite, regardless of what you order. Marriage is just glorified food sharing.
-cackles-
Leave enough room for dessert, babe.
-pauses-
... both kinds of dessert, if you know what I mean.

You're biased. Terribly, terribly biased.
-pulls her close, kisses her all over-
But, you're good to me.
-huge smile-
You're the most beautiful woman I've ever seen in my life. Can you blame me for wanting to show you off?

The happiest, and the most wholesome.
-hums happily-
I don't know how I got so f*cking lucky. You're a blessing.
-just stares at, so lovingly-
Let's go on that walk. Then we can come home, and I can stare at you for a little while longer. Okay?

-squints at-
I've been reduced to 'hot piece of ass' wife.
-snickers-
Alright, I can work with that.
-tugs her head back gently, presses lips to her neck-
Where does 'woman with incredible stamina' fit in?

You make me so indescribably happy, Rhiannon Whitaker.
-0 to hella mushy in like, 3.5 seconds-
You are all I want in this life, and in any other lives I may ever live.
-stares in awe-
You're breathtaking, my god.

Boring?
-incredulous sideways glance-
We do not have boring, house sex.
-checks time-
-pulls into nearest gas station, drags her into bathroom-
Boring, you say. Really?
-pushes her against wall, leans in to leave a hickey-

-scowls-
I know you've taken charge of the laundry, but I also know that grass stains are a b*tch to deal with.
-squeezes her thigh-
Picnic blanket. That way when I put my hand...
-clears throat-
Nevermind. I don't want to get arrested.

We don't need to make up in order to have good sex.
-shoots a sideways glance at-
I think we manage just fine, Rhiannon.
-picks her up at top of the stairs-
-presses her into wall, kisses her neck-
I'd like to think that we have great sex, actually.

-hands her food, hops out of car-
You're so soft. Stop.
-opens passenger door because chivalrous AF-
-sweeps her off her feet and into arms-
I'm gonna carry you to the couch, and we're gonna have a cuddle puddle with Wendy and Wynonna.

-tries desperately not to get distracted-
I really f*cking love you, Rhiannon. Have I told you that lately?
-glances over at-
You're my best friend. The love of my life. All I could ever want and need.
-gets all mushy and sentimental-
Don't go anywhere, okay?

-cups her cheek, leans in for another kiss-
I'm so in love with you, Rhiannon.
-smiles-
But, I'm gonna turn into a bear if I don't get some solid food in me.
-helps her off sink, nudges her toward shower-
-strips, steps in-

Shower, Wendy's, cuddles?
-pauses-
We can take our food to go, and cuddle up on the couch. Catch up on Wynnona?
-grins-
-pulls her close-
Pretty sure I had my way with you on the kitchen counter last night.

-rolls eyes, swats at-
There was like, maybe a week between Wendy's and Nick's. You were pretty forward when we left the bar.
-winks-
I'm gonna... I plead the fifth on that one.
-was waiting for a text, definitely checked phone every 5 minutes-

You weren't geeky!
-stifles a laugh-
You were... cute. And yeah, you walked into a couple things.
-bumps foreheads together gently-
You didn't make a fool of yourself, Rhiannon. But, I was a fool for you.
-brow furrows, thinks back-
You had a look on your face. You were going to f*ck with me at first, weren't you?

I love you. I've loved you from the second I saw you.
-laughs quietly-
I don't believe in love at first sight. But with you... I knew you were it.
-serious heart eyes-
I was made for you, and you for me. Yes?

I know, babe.
-presses lingering kiss to her forehead-
Well, we're here now, right? And this is the best life we can live together.
-holds her close, strokes her back affectionately-
You and I, Rhiannon. This is it.

No, no.
-waves idly-
You're right, babe. You two had real feelings for eachother. It's rude of me to trivialize and diminish that fact.
-takes her face in hands-
I shouldn't insult him. It's petty.
-leans in for a kiss-
I love you though, Rhiannon. Just know that, okay?

Winter? Hmm, this is his home too, no? I mean, considering... things.
-grins sheepishly-
Babe, you have two - no, three dogs already. And plus, shrivel di-
-clears throat-
Callum needs at least one friend, you know?

-shrugs-
I suppose. I mean, I hate saying goodbye. But...
-plops into her lap, wraps arms around her neck-
Now we have the house to ourselves. Margot agreed to move into my apartment, we talked about it earlier today.
-kisses her cheeks-
This is going to be ours soon. Just us. And Wilson.

Yeah, well...
-doesn't have a response-
-instead slings her over shoulder, carries her upstairs-
F*ck the ice cream.
-tosses her onto bed, immediately straddles her hips-
You may be right about the whole 'transcends time' thing, but me saying that I love you most and forever isn't stupid.
-brow furrows-
I mean it with all that I am, Rhiannon.

Cute isn't the word I'm looking for.
-flips over, pins her down-
There are certainly more fitting adjectives.
-leans in to nip at her neck-
I hope it's cold tomorrow. You're gonna need to wear a scarf.

Babe.
-reaches up to thread fingers through her hair-
I'm not a criminal, never was. I mean, other than drugs and underaged drinking.
-presses lips to hers again-
I'll remind you tonight? In the shower, over the bathroom sink, on the edge of the bureau.

-tries to stifle uproarious laughter-
You were made to protect me, too.
-prods-
How does it feel to know that you're married to, and have been housing a fugitive?
-tilts head down dramatically, quirks brow-
The things I've done to your body are worse than the things I've done in my past.

If you're ever ready, then.
-looks at earnestly-
Just know that your past means as much to me as mine does to you.
-drops forehead to her shoulder-
I know it's your job to protect me, but I'm not entirely defenseless. You, of all people, should know that because you know who I am, what I am.
-sighs-
I love you, Rhiannon. No matter what, I hope you'll always feel the same for me.

Rhiannon
I'm sorry I angered you last night, Rhiannon. I hope you know I was joking about therapy. It was callous, and I wasn't thinking. But, I meant it when I said that you're all I want and need. You're absolutely everything to me.

Rhiannon
Pancakes and tea downstairs for when you wake up.
I love you.

-tightens grip-No.
-stares right back at-
I was kidding about the therapist. We have no issues or problems to address.
-finally lets go, places hand over her heart-
No one else knows me the way you do. You are all I want and need.
-drops hand, chews on inside of cheek-
I'm sorry, Rhiannon. I didn't mean to insult you like that.

-wide eyes-
-is taken aback by the aggression, but is also kind of into it-
Rhiannon.
-takes ahold of her wrists-Rhiannon. You know I love when you're assertive in bed,
but I'm sensing something else is going on now.
-isn't letting go, either-
-arches brow-
I refuse to let you hate f*ck me right now, and then pretend everything is okay in the morning.

-sighs-
Words aren't enough, you know?
-reaches up, strokes her cheek-
You're everything to me. And I just wanna be able to prove i to you, you know. Okay?
-small smile-
Always. Yes is always the answer.

-threads fingers through her hair-
I just love you, Rhiannon. And a lot of the time I feel like I don't have the words for it.
-sighs-
So, I try to show you. Not just through sex, obviously. But by being gentle and intimate. I just...
-shakes head-I love you. That's all.

The only thing I'm hurt by is your attempt at nautical puns.
-shuffles forward, laces fingers together-
Ditch the Captain's hat for tonight.
-cups her chin-
I just want you. Nothing else.
-presses a lingering kiss to her lips-Okay?

-takes Luna, places her gently on the floor-
-pushes wife back again couch cushions, climbs on top of-
Rhiannon. I'm not doing anything without your total consent.
-leans down to kiss her gently-
If you want Margot to pay rent, then she pays rent.
-cups her chin-
Now, stop pouting. It's making my heart hurt.

I own that apartment. I worked like a dog, played a couple shows to afford it.
-shrugs again-
I know we're not a charity, but I've displaced her. This is her childhood home.
-bumps foreheads together gently-
Least I can do is give her a place to live instead.

-rolls eyes-
I'm telling you, babe. It's no big deal.
-squints at-
We sit around in our underwear and watch Netflix all the time. Who are you to judge?
-prods-
We don't put up with your sister, Rhiannon.

Babe.
-reaches for her hand-
I know she's a grown woman. But, think about it.
-gives her hand an affectionate squeeze-
It's no bigger than a shoebox. Total strangers have been renting it out for months now, it doesn't feel like home anymore.
-shrugs-
I know Margot, at least. And I trust her.

I think of lifetimes spent kissing you, Rhiannon.
-smiles back-
If I were so fortunate to come back to this world after I die, I'd find you. In whatever vessel you've taken. I'd know you in any form.
-knows it doesn't work like that, but can still dream-
-chuckles-
I'm not so sure about that, but I'm certainly going to try. I already love Wilson, and we're still in the beginning stages of the adoption.

No, no. No.
-takes her face in hands-
Babe, you haven't rushed anything.
-kisses her gently-
I just didn't have time. You know my past. It wasn't particularly conducive to time spent thinking about things like this.
-shrugs-
I was too caught up in bad things to think of any future other than the next day. You know?

It's not self-doubt, babe. I promise.
-nuzzles-
I'm better about that, now. I just... I never thought I'd be here. I didn't have the time to think about getting married, about starting a family.
-closes eyes, sighs-
But, this feels so right.
-broad smile-
This is exactly what I've been waiting for.

Maybe. But, I haven't gotten there yet. So...
-lifts hand to stroke her cheek-
This will have to suffice for now.
-nods-
It'll be a change, for sure. That's why I'm trying to get in as much wife time as possible.

False. You're an angel, Rhiannon.
-Eskimo kisses-
-gets all mushy and emotional-
You're the best for me. You're everything I could ever ask for, and more. The love you show me day in and day out baffles me because never in my life did I think I'd find something so pure.
-might be tearing up because soft-
I love you, babe. I'm glad that you're what I've got.

-moons over-
No, look at you. My god, you're perfection.
-cups her chin, pulls her into gentle kiss-
I wish I had the words to express just how much you mean to me, Rhiannon.
-smiles-
I just can't get enough of you.

Only for me.
-cackles-
-gives her a squeeze-
Teasing. I'm teasing.
-runs fingers through her hair-
I'm only okay with sharing when it's Winter. And maybe our kids.
-snorts-
I can already tell you that I'm gonna be the worst kind of jealous b*tch.

I have you right where I want you, babe.
-wraps arms around, pulls her close-
You know how much I hate being away from you.
-presses kiss to her hair-
I really like getting away with you like this. No distractions, just us.
Heaven.
-ridiculously happy sigh-

I do want it. I think... I think I may need it, honestly.
-presses lips into a thin line-
I want to spend time with you. More time, anyways.
-sheepish grin-
My parents were Catholic. I've only ever known the Catholic church, although I'm sure it's changed some since I left.

-fidgets with hem of shirt-
I'll get there, wherever that may be. I'll find God, I'll find faith.
-shrugs-
I thought I was doing a good thing by just being open to going to mass again. It's been years.

I can understand why it'd be very uncomplicated for you.
-arches brow-
But, I'm not you. And I'm not an agent of God. I don't have the capacity of blind faith.
-takes a deep breath-
I'll get there, Rhiannon. I promise.

No take backsies. I promise.
-hearty laugh-
I... uhm, I know this is going to sound corny, but...
-clears throat-
I fell away from religion after the accident and sh*t, but meeting you, loving you? It's made me think that maybe there is a God.
-fidgets-

-puts hands on her thighs-
I want to love on you, first. You've had control for the last few days.
-leans in close-
Not that I'm complaining, but I think...
-presses firm kiss to her neck-
I think it's my turn.

Margot and I are on good terms. Why would I want to spoil that?
-grins-
Marrying me was a big promise. I think you can handle this one.
-steals a kiss-
I just love you, Rhiannon. Can you fault me for wanting to spoil you from time to time?

I was so tempted to trade in Margot's sh*tbox for it...
-sticks out tongue-
But, I figured she probably wouldn't have appreciated that too much.
-is tackled, grunts-One condition, though.
-wraps arms around her waist-
You have to promise me that you'll always love me more than you love the car. Okay?

-bursts in-
You are joking, right?
-waves phone around-
That's the username you chose?
-huffs-
The phrase is definitely not a thing. But, I would absolutely not oppose if you wanted to prove the act is a thing.
-smirks-

Soleil almost rolls her eyes at the sappiness of Rhiannon's words, but struck by their sincerity, she can only smile. She sits silently for a moment, allowing for Rhiannon's affirmations of love to settle in her heart. Finally, she replies, arms slipping around her wife's slim frame to pull her closer, "I don't know how I deserve you."

Truth be told, Soleil knows she’s not worthy of the angel. Rhiannon is too pure, too good for the mortal realm, and so her choice to remain present continually baffles the young Whitaker. Nevertheless, she is beyond grateful, and she recognizes that her own purpose on this Earth is not simply to be a part of The Order, but rather, to be a constant in Rhiannon’s life. To love, support, cherish her in all the ways she knows how. Perhaps it’s a trivial existence, but for Soleil, it is more than enough to get her up each morning.

-is already straddling her hips-
No time for that, babe. Sesame Street will be over soon.
-pushes her back against the pillows-
Tonight, though. I think I could get into the whole gym outfit thing.
-nips at her neck-

-sits on edge of desk-
I'm still pleasantly surprised we went through with it.
-smirks-
I take it that I didn't get jealous like you had predicted.
-leans closer-
Do you know how much I love you, Rhiannon Whitaker?

Soleil was teetering on the edge of intoxication, and Rhiannon was using the night's high to her advantage. Not that the younger woman cared at all. She was too busy being mesmerized by the way her wife moved, and by revealing red dress she had on. It made saying 'no' admittedly very difficult.

"Let's sign before we return to Moscow." Although her mind and judgement might've been impaired by the booze and feverish dance music, Soleil meant it. She was ready to start a life anew with the woman she loved - she'd always been ready, afterall.

"Yeah, maybe. But, you --" was all she could manage before she was pulled into a fervid kiss. She blinked as Rhiannon pulled away, slightly discombobulated from being embraced so abruptly. Goddamn, this woman was hot.

She could only smile at what Rhiannon said next. Although she was getting better about her insecurities, Soleil still sometimes worried that her bride was unhappy in their marriage. Hearing Rhiannon vocalize her feelings, in that moment, in that particular setting, made Soleil beam with pride. "I'm really glad we're doing this," she responded, leaning in close to Rhiannon's ear, "It's about time we had a night out together."

She smirked as she stepped away, giving Rhiannon some space to breathe and to dance. She apologized half-heartedly - sorry for smothering and for being perhaps a tad too possessive, but not at all sorry for turning their dancing into a spectacle for all to see. Rhiannon was a very, very attractive woman, that was plain to see. So, Soleil was determined to make it clear to the world that Rhiannon was a married woman.

For the first time in days, Soleil felt comfortable. And happy. And at ease. Maybe it was the booze, maybe it was the heat of the club that left her feeling loose and relaxed. Either way, New York was finally starting to feel like a vacation.

Soleil sauntered over to her wife, the heavy bass of the music pounding in her ears. She'd had a few drinks, and now she was ready to dance. It'd been a while since she'd indulged in the nightclub scene but, she was in New York City with her gorgeous wife. How could she resist going out to show off?

She took Rhiannon by the waist and pulled her close, their bodies pressed flush against eachother. It didn't take much to let the music dictate her movements, and soon, the couple was turning heads. Out of the corner of her eye, she caught two men staring. "Looks liks we've got some admirers," she teased before pressing a long, searing kiss to Rhiannon's neck.